1 Chapter - 1

Home .

I had to go home now . I had stayed over at my mom's house for 2 days . I missed my dad and my brother . Right then , my mom was in the kitchen cooking . Dad said that he was about to come pick me up from here . I was in the guest room packing my bag .

After some time , I heard some beep outside the house . It was dad . I then carried my slightly heavy bag and head to the kitchen .

" Bye mom . I love you ." I said .

" I love you too honey . Bye " she waved at me ." Why don't you invite your father inside for a while ."

" We'll be late mom . I'll see you soon. " I said and hugged her .

I then carried my bags outside the house . Dad was sitting inside the car . My mom and dad both waved at each other .

"Dad ! Help please . " I yelled from the staircase .

"You can do it on your own honey . Your dad is old . He cant lift those anymore . " he said with a huge smile on his face . " Dad " I just whined but I did carry my bag till the car on my own . After sitting in the car , we both waved at my mom and drove away .

"So . How was the stay ? " my dad asked . " It was fun - " I told my dad about everything .

***

We were finally home after some hours . I was so tired from the ride . My legs too were hurting . Just as we entered the house , dad shouted , " Dan , Ellie's home " .

Dan came out from his room and just as I was about to drop a comment on how uncool my brother looked , he began with his harshness . Here we go again .

" Did you meet her ? " he asked me harshly . "Yes " was all I said until he went on again . This was what he did every time I came back after spending some time at mom's .

" She is no one - nothing- " he went on and on .

After he finished I said , " She is our mother and I care about her . " with much politeness as I could . After that , I was just standing and waiting for his "whatever and door bang " but get this , he didn't do that today . Surprise . I know right ?

Dan just looked at dad and went , " Why did you even bring her back ? " and then when dad was about to answer he said ," Whatever " and went to his room and banged the door . Returning home felt great .

My dad just stood in my side for a while . It was Dan's every time routine after i would return home . I could tell even dad was sick of it but he just didn't wanna hurt Dan more than he already is . " I'm gonna sleep now . " said dad after a few minutes and left me alone . I stood there for a minute or two before heading to my own room .

So... my name is Ellie . I'm 15 soon to be 16 though . Well tomorrow but we'll go with 15 for now . I have a brother. His name is Dan . I live with my brother and dad as my parents divorced when I was eleven . It's been 5 years now . My brother is 20 now . Our mom left us when he was 15 . He says he hates our mom because she left us and all but the truth is that he misses her and hates that she is not here . I do too . Right now she is happily married with Neil and has 2 stepsons and a son of her own and she is really happy but my brother hates it . He hates it that we don't have a mother to come home to every day , a mother to tease us , just a mother actually but he loves dad and I do too . Dad has never allowed us to miss that comfort of a mom . He is really the best dad anyone could ever ask for .

Just as I was about to scroll through Instagram on my phone , there was knock on the door .

" Come in . The door is open ." I said and came in my brother with a pizza box in his hand . I smiled but I tried not to . I quickly took the pizza box as I stood and said , " Thanks " without a smile on my face .

He then quickly pulled me in a hug and said , " I'm sorry Ell . I was just stressed and mad . I know I shouldn't have been harsh on you . I'm sorry . "

"I know but that does not give you the right to yell at me every single time I'm home after spending some time with mom . That is really not ok . " I told him what I really felt . " I know and I'm sorry for yelling at you . " he apologized . I just crossed my arms and stared at the wall in front of me .

" Come on Ellie . I'm really sorry . " he apologized again ." It's ok but this better not repeat anymore . " I warned him .

"It wont . " he promised me . " Good " I said and sat down as he did the same .

" Ohh - I missed pizza . " I said as Dan ruffled my hair with a smile on his face .